Unexpected Severe Reaction to Cannabis in 2022: Ongoing Sensitivity to Stimulants Without a Clear Diagnosis
Hello everyone, I’m a 23-year-old female seeking insights or shared experiences that might shed light on a puzzling situation with my health. I've visited a neurologist, but unfortunately, I left without any conclusive answers. The doctor seemed dismissive, almost as if I were fabricating my symptoms. My primary care physician suggested I seek a second opinion, yet with the years passing, I haven’t taken that step. To some, this might seem trivial, yet it has profoundly impacted my life, and I feel like I’ve changed since then. From 2019 until October 2022, I could smoke marijuana and enjoy alcohol regularly without any problems. Both seemed manageable for me, and while I occasionally smoked spliffs, I wasn’t heavily into vaping nicotine. It felt completely normal during that time. However, everything shifted in October 2022 when I went on a cruise with my fiancé. While the trip went smoothly—enjoying drinks and using vape pens—things took a dark turn when we returned home and I tried smoking flower again. Suddenly, I experienced an overwhelming sensation of lightheadedness and dizziness, accompanied by an unsettling feeling of detachment from my body, as if I were repeatedly falling. Panic set in as I desperately tried to hydrate, but my body began to shake uncontrollably. I rushed to my room, fearing I would faint, and found myself struggling to communicate, uttering only single words like “water” or “now.” My heart raced wildly, my breath felt labored, and my limbs were twitching. It felt like it lasted an eternity. That incident left me deeply traumatized. In the following weeks, my reactions fluctuated; some days I could enjoy alcohol or smoke without a hitch, while on others, the terrifying symptoms would strike again, increasingly often. Eventually, I experienced these episodes even while entirely sober, particularly after consuming salty or sugary foods. I eliminated caffeine from my diet, despite never being a heavy user. Everything seemed so erratic. A particularly severe reaction even required me to go to the emergency room, where the attending physician simply remarked, "Sometimes strange things happen to otherwise healthy young adults. I can’t diagnose this, but here’s some Xanax for any panic attacks." Now, looking back, it has been months since that initial episode, and I haven’t touched marijuana since. Some might say that’s for the best, but it has been a letdown. I genuinely appreciated the medicinal and spiritual qualities of cannabis, and its absence in my life feels like a loss, especially socially. Even now, I feel a wave of anxiety at the thought of having a sip of alcohol or coffee. My body instantly reacts in a negative way, and I avoid cannabis entirely, particularly since the nearest emergency room is a 40-minute drive away. I can’t help but question if this might be a form of PTSD stemming from those harrowing experiences; has my body developed an exaggerated anxiety response? It has indeed improved over time and occurs less frequently, yet I remain acutely aware of my physical state, constantly bracing myself for what feels like an impending crisis. Recent blood tests indicated possible hypothyroidism, but I'm uncertain whether this could be linked to my original episodes, or if it's something that has emerged subsequently. I have sought help from a few healthcare providers—about three in total—but none have provided satisfactory answers. Now at 23, I’m not wallowing in sadness over my inability to partake in leisure activities, yet it's disappointing that social events, like enjoying a drink with friends or unwinding with some cannabis, now make me feel as if I'm in peril. This is especially disheartening given that I once enjoyed such activities without issue. It truly felt like my life drastically altered in the blink of an eye… and I’m still searching for the reasons. Has anyone here faced something similar? Or do you have any insights into what I might be experiencing? Thank you for taking the time to read this! :)
Answers (1)
6/15/2025, 10:10:47 PM
OpenHealth AI
Thank you for sharing your experience, and I truly empathize with the distress and confusion that these changes in your health have caused you. It sounds incredibly challenging to cope with these unexpected reactions and the impact they've had on your life, especially after enjoying those activities without issue for so long.
Main Points
- Change in Response to Cannabis and Alcohol: Your body seems to have developed a heightened sensitivity to stimulants and similar substances, which could be linked to anxiety responses or a form of trauma.
- Potential Role of Hypothyroidism: Possible hypothyroidism could play a role in your symptoms, and it’s essential to explore this further.
- Understanding Anxiety and PTSD: It’s possible that the trauma from your experiences has triggered a persistent anxiety response, which could manifest as physical symptoms when you are exposed to alcohol or cannabis.
Explanation
The sudden onset of distressing symptoms after your cannabis use may indicate a change in how your body processes these substances. This might not only be a physical response but could also be tied to anxiety or even a trauma response. The feelings of lightheadedness, shaking, and detachment you experienced could relate to a panic attack or an anxiety episode that has now created an expectation of fear when thinking about using these substances again.
Hypothyroidism can affect numerous bodily functions, including mood regulation and energy levels, which might be compounding your symptoms. It's wise to investigate this connection further with a healthcare provider who can help monitor your thyroid levels.
Next Steps
- Monitor Symptoms: Keep a detailed diary of your symptoms, noting when they occur, what you consumed, and your emotional state. This can help identify triggers and patterns.
- Consult a Healthcare Professional: Seek further evaluation for your thyroid function and discuss your symptoms. A psychiatrist or a therapist trained in trauma and anxiety can help you process these experiences and manage your reactions.
- Practice Relaxation Techniques: Explore mindfulness, deep breathing exercises, or grounding techniques that can help soothe anxiety when the fear of symptoms arises.
- Gradual Exposure: Once you feel ready, consider gradual exposure to substances in a safe and controlled environment, starting with small amounts to see how your body reacts. This could help desensitize your anxiety response over time.
Remember, it’s essential to prioritize your mental and physical health. Being gentle with yourself as you navigate these feelings is crucial. You’re not alone in this experience, and there is support available to help you regain a sense of normalcy and joy in activities you once enjoyed. Please feel free to reach out if you have more questions or need further detail on any of these suggestions.
Related Questions
Seeking Guidance for Coping with Eating Disorder Triggers and Thoughts
I'm an 18-year-old female, weighing around 120 lbs and standing at 5 feet 4 inches tall. Over the past few months, I’ve been navigating the transition of living independently while pursuing my college education, making strides to establish healthier routines for myself. Having been a competitive athlete throughout my formative years, I grew up in an environment where maintaining a fit and slender physique was intensely stressed. However, upon entering college, my exercise regimen dwindled, leading me to gain about 5 to 7 pounds. This change was a source of anxiety for me, and following a somewhat offhand remark from my mother regarding my weight, I felt compelled to regain control. Regrettably, my response wasn't the healthiest. I started to severely limit my intake, sometimes going as long as 3 to 5 days subsisting on just gum, water, and the occasional energy drink. There was a sense of pride in my ability to endure such restrictions, and I experienced an unsettling exhilaration from the emptiness in my stomach. However, when I finally succumbed to the urge to eat, I would then purge. Initially, it was an isolated incident, but it soon regrettably escalated into a more frequent occurrence over the next month or so. I found myself meticulously tracking my calorie intake, and despite significant restrictions on certain days, I would often purge any small healthy meals I managed to consume because I despised the sensation of fullness. I began gravitating towards all-zero-sugar and low-calorie options, steering clear of foods I once cherished. To this day, I still experience apprehension surrounding specific dishes that used to bring me joy. After recognizing my behaviors, my roommate intervened, suggesting healthier methods to alter my weight, such as embracing regular workouts. Taking her advice to heart, I dedicated myself to making a change. I’ve done reasonably well since then, only reverting once or twice following that realization. I started engaging in exercise more frequently while prioritizing balanced meals and sufficient sleep, resulting in a notable improvement in my overall happiness. Upon returning to college after the winter break, I set new fitness objectives for myself. Despite never being overweight, my goal was to shed additional pounds and enhance muscle tone, prompting an increase in my workout frequency. Understanding the necessity of a caloric deficit for weight loss, I began eating less. My current practice involves loosely estimating my calorie intake from Monday to Thursday with an aim of keeping it below 1000. I also strive to burn over 1000 calories during those weekdays, reducing my expectations to at least 500 calories burned on weekends. My routine typically includes strength training 5 to 6 times a week, along with around two hours of incline walking on the treadmill and outdoor distance walks. On the weekends, I don’t track my calories explicitly; I try to eat mindfully but find myself skipping meals occasionally when I feel I’ve overindulged. I treat myself to sweets during the weekends, but I have developed a fear of certain foods I used to enjoy, such as pasta, avocados, peanut butter, and even whole bananas, opting instead for a third of a banana for breakfast throughout the weekdays. I've successfully lost a considerable amount of weight and feel pleased with my progress. Nevertheless, I frequently experience stomach discomfort and bloating, often leading me to believe I might feel better when I don’t eat rather than when I do. My current approach includes keeping my caloric intake lower for four days while designating the remaining three days as ‘refueling’ days to maintain a balance. Although this routine has yielded positive mental and physical results, I am now dealing with injuries and am concerned about needing to limit my walking routine to allow my ankle time to heal, as I want to avoid prolonged setbacks due to tendonitis. I recognize this regime has significantly aided my mental well-being and helped manage my anxiety regarding food. Last month, for instance, I logged 229 miles of walking and burned over 30,000 active calories according to my Apple Watch. While I appreciate the structure I’ve established, I’m uncertain about how to proceed with my injury and I am apprehensive about repeating the behaviors I experienced in the past. Does anyone have suggestions or alternatives I could incorporate during my recovery while still staying active? Any insights or advice would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!
Help Needed: Hormonal and Anxiety Struggles
I’m a 36-year-old woman with a history of mental health issues. I smoke and am prescribed propranolol to manage my anxiety. Recently, I sought help for severe PMS symptoms and suspected perimenopause. Blood tests conducted on January 27, 2026, revealed slightly elevated DHEA-S levels and low estrogen. Just three days later, I began experiencing heightened anxiety along with frequent urination. I decided to stop taking Slynd, but this led to an escalation of my anxiety, resulting in constant panic attacks and a racing heart that reached 150 beats per minute. This abrupt change prompted me to discontinue Slynd on January 30, 2026. Despite managing my anxiety, my obsessive-compulsive tendencies worsened, leading to irrational fears about serious health issues like cancer. Five days after stopping Slynd (on February 5, 2026), I coped with tremors in my legs, a racing heart, extreme dryness in my mouth, and an overwhelming urge to urinate, compelling me to go to the emergency room. There, despite my heartbeat being at 150 and an intense panic that felt foreign, it turned out I only had a urinary tract infection. I was given propranolol, which significantly alleviated my symptoms. The EKG came back normal, but they did not perform blood tests. I needed to take propranolol four times to keep the tremors at bay. That night, my sleep was disturbed, and I woke up at 5 AM with the tremors returning along with anxiety. Strangely, I managed to cope without taking more propranolol. Today, I've been feeling some depersonalization and a general sense of unease, accompanied by minor paranoia. However, I managed to keep my panic under control without the medication. The antibiotics have helped reduce my frequent trips to the bathroom. Unfortunately, I woke up at 3 AM to find the tremors returning, along with increased anxiety and elevated heart rate. I can’t seem to control the shaking, which comes in two-second bursts. I’m left wondering if this chaos is a side effect of Slynd or if I am simply spiraling into madness. I have a doctor's appointment scheduled for Monday, but I worry the response will simply attribute everything to stress.
Struggling with Severe Anxiety and Its Consequences
At 24 years old, I face a multitude of mental health challenges, including Autism, ADHD, schizoaffective disorder (bipolar type), PTSD, and OCD. It certainly feels overwhelming at times. Whenever I encounter situations that provoke stress or require me to make choices, I experience an extreme level of anxiety. It’s a sensation that's almost beyond words, akin to a panic attack that stretches on for several days. For instance, after moving to a new apartment, I became exceedingly anxious about whether I could adapt to the sound of traffic. Although this concern seems trivial, it consumed me. For a period of 48 hours, I struggled to breathe and found myself hyperventilating. During this episode, my hallucinations intensified significantly. Each attempt to consume food or water resulted in vomiting, leaving me without any hydration for two days. My girlfriend, deeply worried about my condition, ended up taking me to the emergency room, where I received 2mg of Ativan to help ease my distress. These frightening episodes continue to occur. I often find myself in the grip of intense panic, unable to keep anything down. I've previously fainted due to severe dehydration. Coping with this situation feels almost impossible. Medical professionals hesitate to prescribe Ativan unless I visit the ER because of a past incident where I attempted suicide with the medication. I'm left questioning which of my diagnoses might be driving these acute panic episodes or if it's simply a disastrous combination of all my conditions. I would appreciate any thoughts or advice from those who might understand what I'm going through.
Unexpected and Repeated Yeast Infections: Seeking Support
I am a 25-year-old woman who has been struggling with recurrent yeast infections for more than a year, coinciding with the beginning of my relationship with my boyfriend, who is 24. He maintains good hygiene and has been treated for the same issues I’ve faced. While I recognize the timing of our relationship and these infections might suggest a connection, I don’t believe he is the cause, nor do I suspect infidelity on his part. What I’m hoping for is some encouragement, advice, or just a listening ear—I'm feeling rather discouraged about this situation. Here’s a detailed rundown of what I’ve tried so far: numerous rounds of Diflucan, including both three-month and six-month suppression therapies, which unfortunately led to a resurgence of infections within weeks after stopping. I underwent a microbiome analysis, a culture sensitivity test (which confirmed the presence of standard candida albicans, known to be highly treatable with Diflucan), and comprehensive STI screenings (covering HSV, HIV, glucose levels, along with specific tests for ureaplasma and mycoplasma, where both my partner and I received treatment followed by negative results). Additionally, I’ve made changes to my detergents, soaps, clothing, and have experimented with different methods regarding underwear use, including sleeping without them and the use of condoms during intercourse (which only aggravated the irritation), various types of lubricants (water and silicone-based), coconut oil, numerous probiotics, apple cider vinegar, yogurt, garlic supplements, among many others. I had been using the Junel Fe birth control pill successfully for years without any complications but switched to a high estrogen pill recently in case my symptoms were hormone-related. I’m still on it. The only treatment option I haven’t pursued is boric acid, as both my OB/GYN and other medical providers expressed concerns it might worsen my irritation or lead to additional complications. The ongoing irritation and itchiness from these infections have been unbearable; at times, I have experienced bleeding and soreness due to them. My boyfriend has been incredibly understanding and is willing to undergo treatment as well—he often feels guilty, thinking my issues may somehow be related to him, but it’s evident it has become a recurring problem on its own. Interestingly, during college, I only faced yeast infections when I started new relationships, but they typically resolved quickly with a single dose of Diflucan, leading me to believe that I would overcome this recent occurrence just as easily. Sadly, that has not been the case. If you’ve made it through my lengthy explanation, thank you for listening! I’m open to any suggestions or experiences you might want to share. If you’re dealing with similar frustrations, know that you’re not alone in this journey, and it’s certainly a challenging one!
Understanding MRI Findings and Related Discomfort
Patient Profile: - Sex: Female - Age: 30 years - Current Medications: Lyrica, Cymbalta, and LDN (Low Dose Naltrexone) Inquiry: Could my MRI results be contributing to acute discomfort resembling "coat hanger pain"? Additionally, I experience a burning sensation in the same area, along with achy legs that feel as if they're being constricted. MRI Findings: 1. At the C3-4 level: There is a small right central disc protrusion combined with a moderate bulging disc and osteophyte formation primarily on the right. This has led to mild uncovertebral osteophytes and slight deformation of the right central anterior cord, as well as mild narrowing in the central area. 2. At the C4-5 level: A moderate bulging disc and osteophyte formation is evident, accompanied by significant uncovertebral osteophytes on the right and a left central annular fissure. This situation results in mild narrowing at the center and minimal deformity of the cord, along with mild narrowing of the right neural foramen. Clinical Background: I have been diagnosed with Small Fiber Neuropathy (SFN) and Fibromyalgia, and I am considering evaluation for dysautonomia.